Switch



June 27, 1950 Y w. E. BROWN Erm. 2,512,788

v SWITCH Filed July 2'7, 1946 a 53 a Q o 64 8 21 3 y 85 INVENToRs 8D 82 36 62 w/LL/AM :ARL BROWN 35 6 A w1-JOHN w. LAwso/v #j j By af/Mmmm@ 9%;

Mu', ATTORNEYS Patented June 27, 1950 SWITCH William Earl Brown and John W. Lawson, Anderson, Ind., assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Dela- Ware Application July 27, 1946, Serial No. 686,609

16 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in switches of the type which are mounted on the rear side of an instrument panel or dash board and is controlled by an actuator extending on the front side thereof and in which the actuating member is attached or detached from the switch mechanism after the switch is mounted in position to the panel.

An object of the present invention is to provide insulating contact carrier in association with novel means for interconnecting the inner end of the actuating member therefor after the latter has been installed in position.

Another objectof the invention is to provide means whereby the connection between the movable contact carrier and the actuating member may be disconnected easily when the movable contact carrier is in a certain position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of yielding means in which a positive indication is provided when the switch mechanism is in various positions.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a plan View of a combined switch and rheostat embodying the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side View oi the combined switch and rheostat.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing a movable contact assembly and its relation with a switch case.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken on line 6 5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. l is a sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 7, but

showing the switch assembly moved to another position so as to permit the actuator to be detached from the switch assembly.

Referring to the drawing, more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 the reference numeral 20 indicates an L-shaped bracket having arms 2l and 22. The bracket 20 is adapted to be supported from a dash board or panel 23. The panel 23 and the arm 2| have aligned openings, the opening in the arm 2l is formed by forcing a portion of the arm out of its normal plane into a tubular portion 24 which is internally threaded to receive a threaded shank of a anged bushing 25. The threaded shank of the bushing passes through the opening in the panel and is threaded into the tubular portion 24 to clamp the arm 2| of the bracket iirmly against the rear face of the panel. -The iiange of the bushing limits the extent of entry into the panel.

The arm 22 of the bracket supports an inverted U-shaped member 26 having arms 2l and 28 each provided with angular wings 29 which rest on the upper face of the arm 22. The arms 21 and 28 are also provided with extensions 3U which project through openings provided by the arms 22 and then staked to nx securely the member 26 to the arm 22. Each arm is provided with aligned bearing openings the use of which will be described hereafter.

A switch casing 35 of rectangular formation having a bottom wall 36, side Walls 3l and end walls 38 and 39 is secured to the arms 22 in any suitable manner. In this instance, the bottom wall of the casing is Asecured to the arm 22 by spot Welding. The side walls 31 are both provided with spaced and opposed detents or depressions 40, 4 I, and 42 the detents 4I are deeper than 40 and 42, as will be referred to later. The end Wall 36 is provided with a bearing opening 43. The upper portion of the casing is closed by a terminal block of insulating material the side edges of which are notched as at 46, see Figs. 1 and 2, to receive ears 4l on the side Walls 3l of the casing 35. The ears 4l are bent over to secure the terminal block 45 to the casing and also close same. The terminal block 45 carries a number of spaced stationary contacts 48 electrically connected with each other and a number of spaced stationary contacts 49 arranged in parallel relation with the contacts 48. The contacts 48 and 49 are adapted to be bridged by movable contacts. It is to be understood that any suitable arrangement and number of contacts 48 and 49 may be provided as required.

A movable contact carrier unit 50 is located within the casing 35 and comprises a ca-rrier 5l of suitable electrical insulating material having longitudinal notches 52 and 53 extending downwardly from the upper face of the carrier, as viewed from Figs. "l and 8. It is very desirable that the carrier shall move into respective positions by a pronounced snap action. This is accomplished by providing the carrier 50 with a transverse recess 54 extending upwardly from the bottom of the carrier for receiving a pair of metallic thimbles 55 urged in opposite directions by a.

coil spring 56 surrounding a rod 5l. The thimbles 55 are adapted to seat in oppositely arranged detents or depressions 45, el and 42 in the side walls 37. When the thimbles seat in the oppositely disposed detents or depressions the carrier is yieldingly held in that position under the bias exerted by the spring 55. rThus the carrier 5i) must be moved from one position to another against the action of the spring 55 and the spaces between the detents.

The carrier is also provided with spaced recesses 51a, a through bore 58, and a transverse slot 59, the slot 59 is enlarged as at 60 to provide a shoulder 6l. The slot 55 receives a latch plate 62 including lateral lugs 63 and 64 and an opening 62a. When the latch plate 62 is assembled in the notch 55 the lug 63 cooperates with the shoulder 6I to act as a pivot for the latch while the lug 54 will extend across the bore Each recess 51a receives a spring B8 while the bore 5'8 receives-a spring 67. The lower ends of the springsl rest on the bottom of their respective recesses 51a while spring 61 rests upon the lug B4'. The upper ends of the springs 56 and 'i bear againstV a contactsupporting block 68 of insulating material the sides of which are notched to receive .arms 69a of a contact plate 69, said arms V69a. extending into the longitudinal notches 52 and153=to prevent lateral shifting of the contact Iplate relative to the carrier 5I. The springs 55 and 61 cooperate in one direction to force the block 53- upwardly to urge the contact plate 69 .against the terminal block 45but the spring Sl serves` the vdual purpose of urging the plate @il against the terminal block 135` and also for forcing the latohing plate 62 downwardly within the notch 59.

The carrier 5i] is provided with a longitudinal passage lll which extends from the front end of the carrier, as viewed in Fig.V 3, and extending rearwardly beyond the transverse slot 59. I The means for shifting the carrier unit assembly from one position to another within the casing 35 comprises an operating rod 7i. The outer end-of the rod carries a knob 12 adapted to be disposed on the front of the panel 23. The inner end of `the rod 1l is provided with an annular or perimetrical groove 13 and a conical or cam portion 14- spaced a yshort distance from `the :groove 13. The rod 'il is provided with a flat side'15 intermed-iate rits ends to drive a movable contact of. a resistance unit 16 supported on the arm A28.

After Athe bracket Eil has been attached on the back side of the panelY 23 the actuator or rod l! isinserted fromthe front of the panel 23 by passing. the rodthrough the bushings 25, the resistance unit 16, `bearing opening 43 of wall 3S and into the longitudinal passage 'H of the carrier 5d. When the conical or cam rportion projects through the opening 62a of latch plate 52 the cam portion cooperates with the opening to move the latch about the pivot 63 thereby moving the lug 64 against the tension of the `spring 6l. As soon as the groove is in the same vertical plane of the latch the spring will move the lug downwardly with a snap action which yieldingly interlocls the latch with the rod. This permits the rod. 1I to rotate relative to the latch and longitudinal movement of the rod onr the front side of the panelthen serves to shift the carrier 59 Within the casing 35 from one position to another. Y Y

WhenA it is desired to disassemble the rod 1l from the carrier the rod is actuated to move the carrier 55 to a position so the latch G2 is located directly over a plunger 8U. When the plunger Sli is actuated upwardly as viewed in Fig. 8 it will raise the latch out of the groove 'I3 and the rod ll may then be removed. In this instance the plunger device Se is hollow and slidably supported in a bearing opening 82 which aligns with a larger opening 83 provided in the bottom wall 35 of the switch casing 35. The upper end of the member is flared as at 84, to limit the downward movement of the member Bil. This ared portion is flush or below the top surface of the bottom wall 35 when in its normal position indicated by dot and dash lines so as not to interfere with the sliding movements of the carrier 5i? within the casing 35. The member 80 is moved in a downward direction, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 8V by a spring 85 surrounding the member 85 and having one end resting on a head @f3 and having the other end engaging the bottom side of the arm 22.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, al1 coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

l. A switch having a switch case, a longitudinally movable contact carrier having a transverse slot and a longitudinal recess communicating with the transverse slot; a latch member pivotally supported in the transverse slot and having an aperture capable of aligning with the recess, an operating rod having its inner end tapered and formed with an annular groove .spaced from the tapered end so that when the rod is inserted into the recess the tapered portion will ii't into the aperture of the latch to raise same to allow the latch to register with the groove; a spring means carried by the carrier for yieldingly holding the latch in the groove whereby the rod is capable of longitudinal movements to actuate the carrier.

2'. A switch comprising a rectangular case having a plurality of depressions in opposite side walls thereof; an insulating block carried by the case opposite the bottom wall of the case; fixed contacts carried' by the block; a movable carrier movable in the case; a movable Contact carried by the carrier for bridging the xed contacts; a latch pivotally mounted on and movable with the carrier, said latch having an opening; a rod adapted to be inserted through the opening' of the latch and having an annular groove to receive the latch so as to interlock` the latch with the rod whereby the rod will actuate the carrier, resilient means between the latch and the movable contact for yieldingly holding the latch within the groove and the movable contact against the block; a pair or" thimbles loosely carried by the carrier; and spring means between the thimbl'es for urging same in opposite directions /and into opposed depressions for yieldingly holding the carrier in position.

3. An electric switch comprising, a unit adapted to be mounted on the rear side of a support and including a bracketadaptedto Vbe mounted over an opening in the support and a switch case secured to the bracket spaced fromthe support, said case having an end wallprovided with an opening; a movable contact carrier slidably supported within the case, said carrier having a throughslot `formed therein; a latch having a 'through opening received by saidslot, said latch having a portion engaging a .shoulder located within the slot thereby providing a pivot for the latch;an operating rod adapted to be insertedthrough .the openings of the support, the case and the latch from the front of the support; cooperating means provided by the latch and the inner end of the rod for interconnecting the latch with the rod to provide for operating the carrier upon movements of the rod; and spring means carried by the carrier and acting on the latch for yieldingly holding the latch in locking engagement with the rod. y

4. An electric switch comprising a unit adapted to be mounted on the rear side of a support and including a bracket adapted to be mounted over an opening in the support and a switch case secured to the bracket spaced from the support, said case having an end wall provided with an opening; a movable contact carrier slidably supported within the case, said carrier having a through slot formed therein; a latch vhaving a through opening received by said slot, said latch Vhaving a portion engaging a shoulder located within the slot thereby providing a pivot for the latch; an operating rod adapted to be inserted through the openings of the support, the case, and the latch from the front of the support; cooperating means provided by the latch and the inner end of the rod for interconnecting the latch with the rod to provide for operating the carrier upon movements of the rod; and spring means carried by the carrier and acting on the latch for yieldingly holding the latch in locking engagement with the rod; a biased plunger supported by and extending into the interior of the case, said .plunger being operable only when the carrier is in a certain position to raise the latch against the biasing force of the spring to such a position that the rod can be removed.

5. Aswitch comprising, a switch case; a molded insulating body shiftably mounted within the case, said body formed with an elongated through slot and a bore to provide a pair of notches on opposite sides of the slot and intermediate the ends thereof; a latch having a through opening therein received by the slot; a removable rod adapted to be inserted through the opening of the latch; cooperating means provided by the latch and the rod for interconnecting the latch with the rod to provide for operating the body upon movements of the rod, said latch having one end engaging a shoulder provided by the body to form a fulcruin for the latch; and spring means located Within the bore and engaging the other end of the latch to move the latch in a direction to hold yieldingly the latch in interengagement with the rod.

6. A switch comprising an open sided rectangular casing and having an opening in one of its end walls, a closure for the open side; xed contacts insulatingly supported by the casing; a carrier shiftably mounted within the casing; a movable contact supported by the carrier for bridging the fixed contacts; and means for moving the carrier comprising a removable rod adapted to be inserted through the opening in the casing and connected with the carrier by a latch member pivotally supported in the carrier and having separable end interlocking connection with the rod allowing the detachment of the latch from the rod by transverse movement of the latch with respect to the rod; and means supported by the casing and operable when the carrier is in a predetermined position to impart the transverse movement to the latch to permit removal of the IOd.

7. A switch comprising an open sided rectanguiar casing and having an opening in one of its end walls; a closure for the open side of the casing; fixed contacts insulatingly supported by the casing; a carrier shiftably mounted within the casing; a movable contact supported by the carrier bridging the xed contacts; and means for moving-the carrier comprising a removable rod adapted to be inserted through the opening in the end wall and connected thereto by a latch pivoted within the carrier and having separable and interlocking connections with the rod including an annular groove in the rod, an opening in the latch to receive the grooved end of the rod; a spring insulated from the movable contact for moving the movable contact in engagement with the fixed contacts and also to retain normally: the latch and rod in interlocking relation and permitting the detachment of the latch from the rod by transverse movement of the latch with respect to the rod when the carrier is in a certain position Within the casing. v

8. A switch comprising .a switch case; a molded insulating [body having an elongated slot shiftably mounted within the lease; an overhanging portion provided by the body at one end ofthe slot; a latch having a through opening received by the slot, said latch having a lug disposed on opposite sides of the opening, one of said lugs engaging the overhaniging portion of the body thereby providing a pivot for the latch; a removable rod adapted for longitudinal movements, said rod being provided with a. perimetrical groove at its inner end so that when the rod is inserted through the opening in the latch portions of the latch will lie between the shoulders formed by the groove to provide for operating the body by movements of the rod; andv a compression spring having one end seated against the other lug of the latch and operating to hold yieldingly the latch Within the groove; and means carried by the case and operable when the body is in a certain position to move the latch against the action of the spring to such a position that the rod can be removed.

9. A switch comprising, a switch casing having one of its end walls provided with an aperture; a body of insulating material shiftable within the casing land having a longitudinal recess on its upper face and a through opening traversing the recess; a closure for the casing; xed contacts 4carried by the closure; a movable contact shiftable on the carrier for engaging the xed contacts; an overhanging portion provided by the body at one end of the opening to provide a shoulder; a latch having a through opening received by opening of the body, said latch being provided with a lug so that it will underlie the shoulder thereby providing a pivot for the latch; a. removable rod insertable through the openings and having its inner end formed with an annular groove so that when the rod is inserted through the opening of the latch the groove will receive portions of the latch to provide for operating the body upon movements of the rod; and a spring conined under compression between the movable contact and the latch and operable to maintain yieldingly the latch within the groove of the rod and to hold yieldingly the movable contact in engagement with the xed con.- tacts; and means for moving the latch about its pivot against the action of the spring to such a )position that the latch is free of the groove to remove the rod.

10. An electric switch comprising. a casing;

fixed Vcontacts insulatingly.supported'iby,v1 the casingybridge means; a `barrier disposed Wthinthe casing supporting `the bridgemeans formovement. with respect to `the contacts; aklatchvhavimg an opening confined rwithin:thefcarrier; actuatingf means extending into the casing.y and through the aperture oi the latch; springmeans arranged in said carrier for urging. theV latchin one direction to interconnectlvthe latch with the actuating means to'provide for movingv the carrier upon movements of the actuatirrgf'means; and meansto move the latch in the opposite d-i-A rection against the actionof thesprng'meansfto release the actuating means from the latch.

l1. Anelectric switch comprising, a casing; fixed `contacts insulatinglysupported by the'casing;;bridge means; azcarrierdisposed Within the casingr supportingthe bridge' means forV movement'withrespebt'to the contacts; abiased latch movably-mounted `rwithin the connes of thecarrier; a control member' projecting through an opening provided by the casing and coupledfwith thelatch to provide formoving the carrier upon movementsfof the .controlk member; andmeans 'carried bythe casing and'operablev on the-latch.

to uncouple the latch lfromv the control member;

12.An electric switch comprising,acasing:; a closure carrying contacts mounted on the-casing; a carrier movably'mountedcwithin-the casing; bridging means Vslidably supported on the carrier; a latch member movably supported Within the confines-of' the carrier; means for actuating.y the carrier' projecting into the casing and detachably interlocked-withr the latch; resilientmeans carriedby the carrier and operating tol urge the bridging member against the closurey and the latchinto yielding interlocking relation Withthe actuating means; and means carried by the cas` ing` and'operable upon the latch only When-the carrier is in a predetermined position tofmove the'latch out of interlocking relation with the actuating means to permitl the latter-to become disconnected' from the latch.

13.. An electric switch including afswitchcasi ing; a closure carrying fixed contacts supported by the casing, a carrier slidably guided Within the casing; bridge'means,y slidably supported-on the carrier; actuating means forthe carrier'. extending intol the casing, and detachablyfconnected to a biasedlatch housed within the carrier-wherebythe :actuating means is capable of-moving the carrier-tc a plurality of positions; yieldable positioning means forthe carrier, said means lcomprising.- members slidably supported-Withinethe carrier and parts provided cn'oppositewalls of the casing; and resilient means biasing. the members inv opposite directions whereby the member will cooperate with the parts to hold yieldingly the carrier in the various actuated positions.

14. An electric switchincludinga, casing-.havingan end wall provided with-an opening and having its opposite side walls: provided with spaced opposed depressions; a-t closure carrying fixed-contacts supported by the-casing.; a carrier slidablyJ guided within theicasing; bridge means slidablyfsupported-cn thecarrier; a latch movably supported within'theconines of the carrier;` actuating'meansior the'carrier extending through th'e openingof the end Wall and detachably connectedfwith" the latch; spring means carried by the carrier operating to urge the bridge means in av direction toward the closure andthe latch against the actuating means for holding the latch connected'with the actuating means to provide for moving the carrier upon movement of the actuating` means; apair of cup-shaped members slidably' supported Within a recess provided by the carrier and arranged so that their closed endsfare oppositely arranged therein; and spring meansfor pressing the cup-shaped members in opposite direction and into opposed depressions to^hold yieldingly the'carrier in position.

l5; Anlele'ctric switch comprising, a casing, xedcontacts-ins-ulatingly'supported by the casing; `ali-carriershiftably mounted'in the casing; amor/able.- contact member movably mounted on thel carrier 'for movement therewith to bridge the xed contacts; a'latch movable within the confinesfofV the" carrier; actuating. means extending intorthe' casing and projecting beyond the latch; springemeans arranged'onthe 'carrier for urging thermovablecontact in'a direction'to engage the xed contacts and'the latch in another direction to interconnect the latch With the actuating means-to provide for movingthe carrier upon movement ofy the actuating means; and means for-moving'the latch against the resiliency of the spring=meansito free'thefactuating means from the latch.

16;An electric switch comprising, a casing, fixed contactsfinsulatingly supported bythe casing; a carrier shiftably mounted in the casing; a-nicvable Contact movably mounted on the carrier; a latchmcvable Within the ccnnes of the carrier;I actuating means extendingl into the casing and projectingbeyond the latch; cooperating means'on'the latchand the actuating means for interlocking'thellatchand' the actuating means; springmeansdisposed `between the movable contact Cand the latch for urging'the movable Contact toward therxed contacts andthe latch toward theaCtuating'means so Aasto interlock yieldingly the latch with actuating means toA provide for moving-thecarrier upon movement of the actuating-means la' means for moving the latch'against the Aresiliency of the spring-means so as to free thefactuating means 'from the latch.-

WILLIAMY EARL BROWN. JOI-IN'v W. LAWSON.

REFERENCES ClTED Thefollowingzreferences are of'record in the file-of` this patent:

'UMTED STATES PATENTS Number: 4 Name Date.

alcance Cai-,ron et a1. Mar. 12,1940 

